Greetings from Japan

Six years ago, in 2012, we held our inaugural Asian Festival at Dominic College and we had just commenced the gradual introduction of Japanese as our foundational Language other than English (LOTE) in K-6.

Our biennial Asian Festival was, and still is, part of our commitment to becoming an Asia-literate school. It has proved a great springboard for students to enter wonderful cultural experiences from within the Asia region.

Now our language and cultural programs are strong enough to establish and commence authentic and lasting friendships with school communities in Japan. It is an excellent position to come to and now I am in Japan confidently offering opportunities to our Salesian schools there to become friends with our students and staff.

I am visiting six quite different Salesian schools and my first visit to Meguro Seibi Primary school in Tokyo this week was memorable. The school is coeducational Year 1-6 and was established by the Salesian sisters in 1940.

It was great to visit students in classes and they have much in common with our students - a love of the arts and competitive sports games, generous hearts in their outreach to the disadvantaged and high commitment to learning.

The school’s motto is “Walk with Children”- a most fitting motto for a Salesian school – we are certainly a match.

We have many students travelling next week, our Year 6 to Canberra, our Year 9 to the Northern Territory and it is with great anticipation that I will meet our Year 10s in Kyoto.

Please keep all of our young travellers in your prayers.

Ms Beth Gilligan - Dominic College Principal